Starting to Care Again : Day One

I realized the other day that I had come to a place where I didn't like the way I looked. 

*frown*

I was so exited about being pregnant and having so much fun with a baby bump. And here I am, trying to hide it and waiting until I can run again. 

What made me realize this was that I barely had any pictures of my pregnant self. Sad because this is my first pregnancy, and I am all about pictures and remembering special times. 

I honestly don't like being any bigger than what I am used to. It's harder to move and I generally don't like to look in the mirror and see big. 

I am totally missing out though! 

So, I am going to embrace it and have fun with these last few months that I get to carry my baby girl around safe and warm without using my arms. This is the beginning of me starting to care again about how I look and what I wear. Up until now, I have only cared about being comfortable, warm, and covered as a pregnant lady. Time for a fresh look on things.

I was so desperate to find help with what to wear and still be cute while pregnant so I spent a lot of time searching. I got some great ideas and have developed some good basics, and I think I will share them with other new moms who are looking for ideas too.

My Wardrobe tips so far:

*Maxi Dresses and Maxi Skirts*

So comfortable because they don't pinch or bind.

Flexible so they allow you to move in any way you can manage, since your belly doesn't anymore.

They can be dressed down or up, easy peasy.

The length and style help hide any extra poundage in the leg area. (Thank You!)

Bonus: They are trendy right now. 

*Cardigans*

Great way to add extra warmth in the cold months.

They can go with anything!

You don't need to buy maternity sizes, because you can wear them open.

They are classic and will never go out of style, a wise investment. 

Many different styles to accomplish different looks. 

They can hide muffin tops or create structure.

*Scarves*

Keep your neck warm (awesome!)

Help stay modest with the extra growth in front. =)

Instantly add color, design, pattern, interest, and detail to any outfit. 

Very versatile.

Help you stay looking smaller because it can either flow and cover, or a chunky wear can dwarf your belly.

These are so basic and I thought I knew this before maternity, but I can't stress how important the basics are, and stocking up on these items for pregnancy is a win-win! Not only will they be comfortable and easy, two very important things, but they are all usable whatever size you may be. Any of these items can be worn in the summer, winter, spring or fall. Also, when you are postpartum, you can use these to hide the extra pounds you haven't lost yet, and you can use them to stay cute without putting much effort or time into yourself. 

I'm looking forward to feeling cute again and sharing anything I learn.

Vintage Button Necklace DIY

My little creative person has been screaming for some attention lately. 

So I decided to scope out my Crafts Board on Pintrest and look for anything 

that would satisfy my creative itch.

I found This Pin and decided to try it out.

If you want to try it out yourself, you may find the tutorial through the link.

However, I didn't follow that tutorial, I simply went from the picture.

So here's what I did:

1. I laid out the buttons I wanted in the arrangement I wanted. (as seen in the picture above)
2. I then transferred the design onto the background fabric, which for me was denim.
3. I fired up the hot glue gun and put each button into place. (My design changed slightly as I put them together permanently.)
4. I then cut out the buttons from the extra fabric.
5. Using needle and thread, I sewed the chain onto the background fabric of the necklace.

My necklace turned out like this, and it's kinda fun. I think I like it.

But I didn't stop there. 

I made this necklace from old earrings and extra chain.

Then I decided that three is a charm and I made another one.

Even though the second two were afterthoughts, I like the second necklace I made the most. I see myself wearing this one a lot.

All in all, it was a good night and my little creative person is satisfied, for now. 

Seven Months

I have been pregnant for 28 weeks. 

I am starting to realize that now is crunch time, and I need to get busy with the baby stuff.

In my head, I've thought that I have time to think about this or that later. 

Now is later. 

These next few months are going to fly by so fast and I won't know what happened to them.

I am exited, but I wish I could pause everything and get it all ready, and then hit play again.

God has been teaching me a lot about peace and trust this year. 

I am very thankful for that, because I am going to need to better understand those concepts soon!

As far as health and the pregnancy, everything is where it should be.

I am on track with growth, weight gain, heart beat, etc. etc.

Thank you, Jesus!

This is a very exiting time! I find myself enjoying the last little bits of married and no kids, but I can't help but look forward to taking care of this little person all day long and pouring all that I am into raising her and loving her. 

I can't wait to meet you, Baby C. But don't come too early. I'm not ready yet. 

Time to kick it into high-gear.

=)

Family Year Book

Happy New Year 2013!

A while back, in one of my many moments spent on Pintrest, 

I snagged a pin about making a Family Year Book. 

The thought really kicked in when I thought about how big this year was going to be for my family.

Having a baby, Daniel graduating from Tech, moving, best friend getting married, 

and so much more that I can't even imagine!

What better year to start a Family Year Book?

I decided to actually make it happen. 

This photo of hubby and I was officially the beginning.

I am very exited about this.

If I keep my pictures on my computer, I never see them, you never see them, so what's the point of taking them? Now, I will have a nice way to share pictures without direction-less photo albums or hours spent on scrapbooking. I will get the best of both worlds with this idea. 

So watch out family, because this Christmas you are going to get 

an awesome gift that will become a family tradition! 

Happy Birthday Kenney!

Happy Birthday, big brother, Kenney! 

I hope you have a fun day celebrating your life!

Love,

P.S. One of my favorite things about this picture is that Bella took it! She is a budding photographer!

Walking on the lake

Lake Fanny Hoe, Copper Harbor, MI

We decided to take advantage of this rare sunny day and go for a drive. We ended up here.

Daniel talked with the men ice fishing to get some tips. 

The ice was so smooth you could have ice skated. 

Walking on the lake.

The happy family =)

Lilly wanted to say hi to them so bad, and their smelly fish. 

Home Sweet Home

There is no place like home for the Holidays.

Sunshine on snow covered trees.

Christmas lights on the deck that you can see when you turn onto Washington rd.

Burning wood in the fireplace.

Baby C kicks every hour of each day.

The smell of burning wood.

Horses and a Red Barn across the road.

Lilly Lou laying in the sun like a cat.

The sound of the fans on the hearth.

Puppy Chow.

Pete, Peri, Jeremy, Leslie, Kenney, Candace, Isabella, Wyatt, Owen, Evan, Tyler and Angi.

All together for Christmas.

Playing hymns on the old piano.

White rolling fields. 

I am so thankful and blessed. I am truly happy at home. 

There is no place like home for the Holidays.

Peace

The Great Life

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you:...Let not your heart be troubled." John 14:27

Whenever a thing becomes difficult in personal experience, we are in danger of blaming God, but it is we who are in the wrong, not God; there is some perversity somewhere that we will not let go.  Immediately we do, everything becomes as clear as daylight.  As long as we try to serve two ends, ourselves and God, there is perplexity.  The attitude must be one of compete reliance on God.  When once we get there, there is nothing easier than living the saintly life; difficulty comes in when we want to usurp the authority of the Holy Spirit for our own ends.

Whenever you obey God, His seal is always that of peace, the witness of an unfathomable peace, which is not natural, but the peace of Jesus.  Whenever peace does not come, tarry till it does or find out the reason why it does not.  If you are acting on an impulse, or from a sense of heroic, the peace of Jesus will not witness; there is no simplicity or confidence in God, because the spirit of simplicity is born of the Holy Ghost, not of your decisions.  Every decision brings a reaction of simplicity.

My questions come whenever I cease to obey.  When I have obeyed God, the problems never come between me and God, they come as probes to keep the mind going on with amazement at the revelation of God.  Any problem that comes between God and myself springs out of disobedience; any problem, and there are many, that is alongside me while I obey God, increases my ecstatic delight, because I know that my Father knows, and I am going to watch and see how He unravels this thing.

From the book My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers.

Rustic Pine Cone Garland

Rustic Pine Cone Garland Tutorial

This has got to be one of the easiest garlands to make out there!

It took me probably about 20 minutes at the very most. 

Including gathering the materials, each step, and the final placement.

What you need:

1. String

2. Scissors

3. Pine Cones

Steps:

1. Measure length and cut. 

(Because you are using the same string to attach the pine cones, double your length.)

2. Start to tie, using a pine cone at the very beginning.

3. Continue to tie around each pine cone.

(In order to have the same distance from each cone, fold over the string after the first tie.)

4. Tie around each pine cone until you don't have enough string 

to fold over for another cone.

5. Hang your garland wherever you like and enjoy!

I hope you like your new garland 

and that you feel awesome 

because you just made a cute Christmas decoration with your very own skill. 

Of course, you don't have to stop there, 

I'm sure adding little touches like bows between the pine cones can only make this better, 

so go for it and make it your own!

Merry Christmas!

Little Baby C, what will you be?

Surprise, surprise! It's a girl!

Daniel and I really honestly thought it was a little boy growing inside there, but, God had a better idea.

I am so thankful and honored to be blessed with a daughter. 

This is such a wonderful thing!

I am so happy.

Thank you, Jesus for all the blessings you give us!

Let the preparations begin...